The Directorate of Archaeology and Museums and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government have expressed commitment to make the province a tourist center by restoring and preserving the rich heritage of the Gandhara civilization's art and Buddhist cultural specimens.

Talking to Associated Press of Pakistan, an official of the department Raza Mehmood said,"Peshawar Museum is notable for its collection of Buddhist artwork dating from the ancient Gandhara region."

He said Peshawar Museum has one of the largest and most extensive collections of Gandhara art of the Buddhist period and is considered one of the biggest collections of Buddhist objects in the world.

He further said the museum also contains the largest collection of Gautama Buddha, Buddhist stone sculptures, terracotta figurines, and other Buddhist objects.